Ren ran, his heart pounding, his breaths coming in short gasps. He dashed through the door of a darkened house, desperation driving him forward. But as he entered, the sight before him rooted him to the spot. His eyes fell on a lifeless figure, a boy about his age, hanging from the ceiling. His lifeless eyes stared back at him, as if accusing, as if judging.
Ren's knees buckled, his lips trembling uncontrollably. He couldn't look away.
"It was your fault," the boy whispered, his voice cold, his dead eyes wide open, unblinking.
---
"Haah!" Alex jolted awake, his entire body drenched in sweat. His breaths came in uneven gasps, and his hands were shaking as he clutched his sheets. His gaze fell on the bandages wrapped around his forearms, a reminder of his fragile condition.
Why did that memory have to show up now? Alex thought, wiping sweat from his forehead. I know it was just a dream… but it felt too real.
No matter how hard he tried, the memory lingered, surfacing whenever he least expected it, tainting any small moment of peace. It's as if my past refuses to let me be.
With a deep, shuddering breath, Alex shifted his gaze out the window, watching the golden light of dawn inching over the horizon. The warmth of the rising sun contrasted with the chill that still clung to his skin.
This second life… it's a gift, he thought, his fingers clenching the sheets. If not for this unexpected chance, I wouldn't even be here. I'd have given up long ago.
He swallowed, feeling a renewed determination settle within him. I'm done holding onto things from the past. I have this chance now, and I'm not going to let it slip away.
"This time, I'll keep my promise to them," Alex murmured to himself, clenching his fist. But a sharp pain shot through his wrist, and he winced, shaking his head with a faint smile. "Not so fast, I guess."
---
I want to go home, Alex thought, hugging his arms around himself as he shivered from the biting cold, even though he was bundled up in a thick fur coat and layered pants.
He stood with Leo at the foot of a mountain, its craggy surface coated in layers of ice. Alex was wrapped in a woolen cap, gloves, a thick fur coat, and insulated pants, yet he still felt the chill biting into his bones. Beside him, Leo stood casually in lightweight clothes, as if he were taking a leisurely stroll in the park rather than facing an ice-covered mountain.
"Dad, isn't this a bit… extreme for training?" Alex asked, his voice muffled by the scarf around his neck as he pointed up at the imposing peak.
"Heh, what's the matter? Already feeling scared?" Leo smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I had high expectations for you, being my son and all. But if you're too much of a kid to follow me up, I'll understand."
Alex clenched his teeth, frustration boiling up inside him. I swear, that smug look… He took a determined step forward, forcing his legs to move even as a shiver ran down his spine.
"I'll leave you behind if you can't keep up," Alex shot back, his jaw clenched against the cold.
Leo raised an eyebrow, grinning as he watched Alex's shaky attempt at bravado. "Alright, lead the way, Captain."
As they began the climb, Fein trotted happily behind them, clearly pleased to be outside, even in the frigid air.
With each step, Alex felt pain shoot through his legs, a reminder of how weak his body still was. Damn it. I can barely move without feeling like I'm going to fall apart. He glanced down at his feet, noting the stiffness in his muscles. How much further do we have to go? It feels like we've been climbing forever.
"We've still got a ways to go, so don't give up yet," Leo called over his shoulder, giving Alex a reassuring pat. "After a few days, this will get easier."
He's right, Alex thought, teeth gritted against the biting cold. This seems impossible now, but if I can keep pushing, one day it'll be easy. But first, I need to build some endurance.
"Do you know how long it'll take Mom to prepare the formula?" Alex asked, hoping for some tangible goal to focus on.
"Hm…" Leo rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "At this rate, probably four months. But with her talent, I'm guessing she'll finish sooner."
Four months, Alex sighed, his breath fogging in the air. It's remarkable she even found a way to cure this condition—something no one else has documented. His thoughts drifted to Arlette, her determination and intelligence far exceeding what he'd imagined. She must be a brilliant scholar, or perhaps even a renowned scientist.
Taking a deep breath, Alex steeled himself. I just need to survive these next four months. No… I'll aim even higher. I'm not going to waste this second chance.
They continued their climb in silence, the only sounds the crunch of their boots against the ice and the occasional howl of the wind.
---
By the time they reached the top, the sky was painted with the colors of the setting sun, warm hues of gold and red stretching across the horizon. Alex inhaled deeply, the cold air filling his lungs and clearing his mind.
It's so… peaceful. He let himself soak in the view, feeling the serenity of the mountaintop settle into him.
Leo stood beside him, his gaze distant. "I missed this view," he murmured, running a hand through his hair. "We should head back. Arlette's probably waiting for us."
Alex looked down at his trembling legs and shook his head, exhausted. "I… I don't think I can walk another step."
Leo chuckled, slinging Alex over his shoulder as if he weighed nothing. "Didn't you know? Your dad's faster than lightning!"
Before Alex could protest, Leo bent his knees and launched himself off the peak with incredible force. The world blurred around them as they hurtled back down the mountain at inhuman speed.
---
"Blegh!" Alex heaved as soon as they reached home, his stomach lurching from the wild descent.
"It's alright, just let it all out," Arlette said soothingly, rubbing his back. She shot Leo a withering glare. "Do you even know the meaning of moderation?"
Leo held up his hands, a sheepish look on his face. "But I didn't go that fast…"
Alex groaned inwardly, clutching his stomach as he fought to regain his composure. Not that fast? I'm pretty sure we broke the sound barrier back there. Is he… The Flash or something?
Arlette sighed, pressing her fingers to her temples in frustration. "What am I going to do with you?" She turned back to Alex with a gentle smile. "I'll go set the table for dinner. You can bring him in when he's ready," she said to Leo.
With that, she went inside, her footsteps soft and steady.
Leo knelt beside Alex, his gaze apologetic. "Sorry about that. Guess I got a little carried away."
Alex straightened, wiping his mouth with the towel Arlette had handed him. Forcing a smile, he replied, "Don't worry, Dad. I actually thought it was… pretty cool." He could barely keep the sarcasm from his voice, but Leo's face brightened, missing the underlying tone.
"You really think so?" Leo grinned, puffing his chest out proudly.
"Yeah," Alex said, rising to his feet, his eyes drawn to the sunset. "Let's head inside. I'm starving."
As he followed Leo inside, a flicker of resolve tightened in Alex's chest. I can't stop here. The pain doesn't matter anymore. I've been through worse. His gaze hardened. I need to get stronger. I won't let myself be powerless again.
---
From that day forward, Alex threw himself into training with unwavering dedication. Each morning after breakfast, he climbed to the peak of the mountain, the journey meant to push his endurance and strength to their limits. Fein followed at his side, his loyal companion on these grueling treks.
After dinner, once his parents had retired for the night, Alex would sneak into his room and push his body further, attempting push-ups, crunches, and squats long past midnight. The pain was brutal, but each slight improvement, every small victory, made the hardship bearable, even exhilarating.
---
Four months passed in this relentless cycle.
---
"Scared?" Leo asked, watching Alex, who was seated cross-legged in the middle of a cleared room. Sunlight poured through the window, bathing the space in a warm, golden glow.
"Excited, actually," Alex replied, a confident smirk on his face. Over the months, he and Leo had come to understand each other deeply, their bond strengthened through shared struggles and unspoken support.
Arlette stood nearby, her voice calm and soothing. "Don't worry, Alex. Just follow my instructions, and everything will be fine." She offered him a reassuring smile before closing the door to seal them inside.
Today was the day—the day Alex's illness would finally be cured.
All the furniture had been moved out, leaving Alex seated on the floor with Leo standing to one side, ready to assist. Arlette settled behind him, her expression both focused and calm.
"This might sting a bit," Arlette warned, handing him a dark blue orb, slightly larger than his fist, and a small glass vial filled with a violet liquid. "But don't open your eyes until I say so, alright?"
"Got it, Mom," Alex replied, smiling back.
He studied the orb in his hand, feeling the power thrumming beneath its surface. So, this is the energy core of a dragon from the Ashborn Clan, he thought, fascinated. Mom said that their ancestors ruled over other dragon clans, but now they're just a remnant of the past. The name 'Ashborn' comes from their founder, who wielded black lightning, a power even stronger than the typical red lightning used by other dragons.
Who knows… maybe I'll end up with some kind of dark lightning power, he thought, a small smirk tugging at his lips. That would be too cliché. Lets not jinx it.
His gaze shifted to the vial, containing the formula Arlette had spent years developing. She's put everything into this. A sense of gratitude swelled within him. I'm lucky to have her. More than lucky.
At first, I thought I'd leave as soon as my illness was cured, he admitted to himself. But now… I can't. They've become my family in more than just name.
"Are you ready?" Arlette's voice cut through his thoughts, her hand resting on his shoulder, slightly trembling.
Alex placed his hand over hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Yes, I'm ready, Mom."
Leo, standing in the corner, tapped his foot lightly, sending out a surge of energy that erected a dome-like barrier around the house, shimmering with a powerful aura that seemed strong enough to withstand any attack.
Alex took a deep breath, raising the dragon's energy core to his mouth and swallowing it. As it melted down his throat, an icy sensation spread through his veins, sending chills racing across his body.
Then, he opened the vial and inhaled the potent aroma wafting from the liquid inside. It smelled dangerous, yet he felt no fear as he drank it down, the warmth spreading through him, countering the chill of the dragon's energy.
A torrent of mana surged within him, flooding his body. A dark blue flame ignited within his core, burning fiercely.
Arlette placed her hands on his back, channeling her mana to stabilize the chaotic energy. Her warm, green mana seeped into his circuits, guiding the raging torrent within him back into his dantian.
The pain was intense, a gnawing ache radiating through him, but Alex gritted his teeth, enduring it. The energy raged, threatening to tear him apart from within, but Arlette's mana kept it contained.
Sweat broke out on Arlette's forehead as she strained to contain the runaway energy, her face pale as she continued channeling her mana. The circuits within Alex's body, once dry and fragile, now pulsed with vitality, brimming with newfound strength.
Then, to their horror, the energy diverted toward his heart, moving with a will of its own. Leo, quick to react, knelt in front of Alex, pressing his hand firmly over Alex's chest. The rogue energy circled his heart, transforming into a blackish hue and forming a protective ring around it.
Relieved, Arlette resumed her guidance, leading the rest of the mana through Alex's circuits, expelling impurities from his pores in the form of a dark mist.
Gradually, his scrawny frame filled out, his muscles growing denser, and his face taking on a healthier glow. The dark blue flame within his dantian settled, while the ring around his heart pulsed with a powerful rhythm.
This is unbelievable! Leo thought, his eyes wide with astonishment. He created a mana core and an energy center simultaneously… and the aura I sense from his dantian is unique. I'll have to monitor him closely.
Arlette finally released her hands, her gaze softening as she looked at Alex's face.
Alex's eyes fluttered open, and a faint, black flame flickered within his pupils. He exhaled, a wisp of steam escaping his lips, as his parents looked him over, examining his newfound vitality.
"Sigh… How do you feel?" Arlette asked, her voice filled with relief.
"Better… but something smells awful," Alex replied, wrinkling his nose at the nauseating odor filling the room.
He glanced down at himself, realizing he was covered in a thick layer of black residue—the remnants of impurities forced from his body.
Leo laughed. "That's just all the junk that was clogging up your body. It'll stink for a bit."
Arlette patted his shoulder with a smile. "Go take a bath. We'll talk afterward."
Embarrassed, Alex nodded, rushing off toward the bathroom.
Once he was gone, Leo turned to Arlette, his expression serious. "You noticed, didn't you?"
Arlette nodded, her gaze lingering on the spot where Alex had been. "Yes, it's still premature, but he's awakened as a first-circle magician. I can't believe he has both a mana heart and an energy core… it's unprecedented."
Leo placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his voice warm. "He'll be alright. Only good things lie ahead for him now."
Arlette looked back toward the bathroom, a quiet smile gracing her lips. "Yes… only good things."
Alex returned, refreshed, expecting his parents to be overly sentimental. Instead, they acted as if it were a normal day, though he noticed they seemed a little happier.
Entering his room, he found the furniture back in place. He stood before the mirror, pulling off his shirt to examine himself.
This is insane, he thought, marveling at the changes. Not only did it fix my weakness, but my whole body feels reborn.
While still lean, his frame was defined, as if sculpted. He clenched his fist—no pain, no trembling. Just strength.
I can feel my dantian, but there's also something near my heart, he realized. It's faint, but it's there. I might have gained more than I expected.
Curious, he tried summoning mana, holding his breath and attempting chants. "Fireball! Kamehameha! Bankai!" But nothing happened.
A chuckle sounded outside his door. He whipped it open, face red as he saw his parents stifling laughter.
"S… since when?" he asked, mortified.
"Before 'Fireball,'" Leo said, smirking.
"That was adorable," Arlette said, fanning herself.
Kill me now! Alex thought, feeling his face burn.
"Mana control takes time," Leo explained, finally composed. "Tomorrow, I'll teach you."
"Really?" Alex asked, hopeful.
Arlette giggled. "Just don't destroy the house tonight."
"Yeah, no more 'Bankai!'" Leo teased.
"Seriously," Alex muttered, exasperated, as they laughed.
Tomorrow, he thought, smiling despite himself. I'll just focus on tomorrow.